Nick Kyrgios has made a return to the ATP Tour after a busy offseason that was dominated by exhibition matches.
Kyrgios played against Aryna Sabalenka in a Battle of the Sexes rematch in Dubai last month, which the ATP ace won 6-3, 6-3.
The Australian and the Belarusian also lined out at The Garden Cup at Madison Square Garden, where they were joined by Naomi Osaka and Tommy Paul.
Kyrgios has since returned to the ATP Tour, with the 2022 Wimbledon finalist playing at the Brisbane International.
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Nick Kyrgios admits ‘cash is great’ after exhibition matches
Kyrgios won his doubles opener with Thanasi Kokkinakis, but is out of the singles event after losing to Aleksandar Kovacevic.
Injury limited Kyrgios to under 10 matches in the 2025 season, with the Australian having been asked if his arm feels okay after his latest appearance.
He said: “Yeah, yeah. Just serving again, getting the serving reps in. As I’ve said, this month has been huge. I’ve gone from Miami, Atlanta, New York, Australia, to India, to Australia, to Dubai, to Australia.
“Like I have also, and I know in this part of my career, I know why I’m playing those exhibitions and I know why I’m doing that, because cash is great.
“Having exposure at Madison Square Gardens is great. I’m doing those things because that’s what I want to do in my point of my career, where someone like my opponent today, he would have had a good two months in the same place getting ready for this event.
“So we’re at different stages of our career, as well. But as of right now, I’m exactly where I actually want to be.
“You know, obviously the result, can’t win them all. Novak [Djokovic] pulls out of Adelaide because he’s not physically where he wants to be.
“Right now, I’m okay taking the loss on my chin and moving forward and just building and getting out there and playing more. Can’t take these moments for granted.”
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Kyrgios was also asked about his knee issues afterwards, having experienced swelling in that area in recent months.
He commented: “My body initially feels… I think people don’t understand how physical tennis is, especially now.
“It’s probably one of the faster events, but tennis is so slow. The balls are massive. Rallies are so long, it’s hard to get free points. It’s just a grind physically.
“Yeah, like, and I haven’t played a lot of matches so that makes it tough as well. The energy, the match energy is different. Yeah, man, it’s tough. But yeah, this is a good building block.
“If I’m going to be able to go again tomorrow and put a little session in before my doubles and then play another doubles match, who knows, if we win that, it’s another match, and if I’m able to string a couple together, who knows where I could be in six to 12 months’ time? But again, recovery is first. That’s it.”
Kyrgios is admirably grateful for his current circumstances, with the former world number 13 well aware that his best days are very likely behind him.
He has dropped all the way down to 670th on the ATP Tour, but remains a firm favorite among many Australian fans thanks to his energy and skill on the court.
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